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Any MMO player worth his or her salt has a binder full of ideas for games, usually based on a favorite book, television, or movie franchise. We've talked about it before. We've discussed whether or not it's a good idea to even have IP-driven MMOs. But you know what we've never done? We've never consulted me.

I'm hurt, to be honest. I know that I'm just one of millions of MMO players, but I have a binder too! It's a vintage Trapper Keeper with a wizard on the cover who is dashing among abstract geometric shapes. My mom thought it was cool and my friends think it's totally rad. Inside are the secrets to hit MMOs that studios are just too scared to make but would be bigger than World of Warcraft if someone would just take the chance. I know it.

Today I'm going to open up that binder and shove my ideas in your face. And then, knowing how these things go, I will raise up every geek voice against my picks in the comments section. Bring it on. My wizard can handle all of you.

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captain-ncaptain-n-the-game-masterfalloutfeaturedfranchisefranchisesgame-of-thronesgame-of-thrones-ascentgame-of-thrones-seven-kingdomsharry-potterhumoripipsopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenplanescape-tormentpokemonready-player-oneroundupsimpsonsthe-dark-towerthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthe-simpsonstop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtrapper-keeperwarehouse-13world-of-warcraftThu, 04 Jul 2013 12:00:00 -0400319|20626493http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-ip-to-your-mmo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-ip-to-your-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-ip-to-your-mmo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
MMOs began as online versions of your favorite games. Ultima Online brought the familiar world of Britannia to players online, allowing them to play with their friends or meet new ones. But EverQuest showed us that a fresh new world could succeed as an MMO, with future online games exploring both sides of the IP coin.

So which do you prefer? Does a familiar world matter to you, or do you reward originality?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

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daily-grindeverquestfamiliarfranchiseguild-warsguild-wars-2iplord-of-the-rings-onlineopinionoriginalscratchstar-wars-galaxiestdgthe-daily-grindultima-onlineWorld-of-WarcraftFri, 28 Sep 2012 08:00:00 -0400319|20335154http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/final-fantasy-xi-the-most-profitable-in-the-franchise/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/final-fantasy-xi-the-most-profitable-in-the-franchise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/25/final-fantasy-xi-the-most-profitable-in-the-franchise/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Behold the power of MMOs to generate a Fort Knox of income. Square-Enix announced that out of all of the Final Fantasy games from 1987 through today, Final Fantasy XI has been the most profitable.

This comes from Square-Enix President Yoichi Wada, who was hyping the title over the weekend amid the news of its upcoming expansion. Wada also said that if you tallied the accumulated play time of all current FFXI players, you'd end up with a mind-boggling 200,000 years /played.

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10th-anniversaryanniversaryfantasyffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-franchisefinal-fantasy-xifranchisemost-profitableprofitprofitableSeekers-of-Adoulisquaresquare-enixtenth-anniversaryyoichi-wadaMon, 25 Jun 2012 09:30:00 -0400319|20265279http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/blizzard-looking-to-hire-product-placement-producer-for-next-g/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=WoW&ncid=rss_semi
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As Blizzard charges into 2012 with three big releases (Mists of Pandaria, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, and Diablo III) coming soon, rumors begin to swirl as a new job posting became available on the Blizzard career site for a franchise development producer. The interesting facts in the job listing are that the position is for the next-gen MMO, focused on working with consumer brands and creating brand-extending merchandise.

What does this mean for the next-gen MMO currently roasting slowly at Blizzard's complex? We don't really know. If we look at other games that have had advertising, it's usually in the form of billboards or sponsorships, featuring products that you and I know of. The possibilities for where ads could go within the game world of an MMO are endless, but it does preclude some settings and time periods. Intriguing, no? Something to freak out about? Definitely not.

Fans of Marvel Comics have been on the edge of their seats ever since the announcement that Disney had acquired the comic publishing giant, and they're surely anxious to know that their beloved characters will be in good hands. Well, thanks to a press release from Disney Interactive Media Group today, we now know exactly whose hands they will be in.

DIMG has appointed Bill Roper, former VP of Blizzard North and former Chief Creative Officer of Cryptic Studios, as Vice President, Marvel Franchise. Alex Seropian, Senior Vice President and General Manager says of the appointment, "We are pleased to have Bill join our team. With 17 years of experience in the worldwide gaming industry, we are confident that Bill has the creative vision necessary to help guide the next wave of development and product for DIMG's Marvel Games." It seems like Disney has big plans for the Marvel franchise. What those plans are remain to be seen, though Roper will obviously play a large part in Marvel's future in the gaming industry.

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bill-ropercomicscrypticcryptic-studiosdimgdisneydisney-interactivedisney-interactive-media-groupfranchisemarvelmarvel-comicsmarvel-franchiseroperThu, 21 Jul 2011 19:00:00 -0400319|19997240http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/battle-dawn-galaxies-takes-the-franchise-to-the-stars/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/battle-dawn-galaxies-takes-the-franchise-to-the-stars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/battle-dawn-galaxies-takes-the-franchise-to-the-stars/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Going from a scrappy start-up to Lord Emperor of the Universe would make your resume seem paltry, would it not? And while we have no doubt that you'll make it happen for real once your homemade starship is able to break orbit from your back yard, Tacticsoft has an easier solution: Try out Battle Dawn Galaxies, a new galaxy-spanning strategy MMO.

Battle Dawn Galaxies hands you the keys to a small space station and a dream -- a dream to become the biggest, baddest, savviest leader on the map! Over the course of this free-to-play title, you'll build up your station, create a battle fleet of ships, take over new territory, establish alliances with other players, and fight against all those who oppose you.

The game already has over 10,000 daily active players and is the latest in the Battle Dawn franchise, which begun back in 2006. Tacticsoft CEO Michael Rosen thinks the sky is the limit for this title: "The Battle Dawn brand has grown in popularity over the past five years and our players have been asking for a sci-fi universe based on the core mechanics of the original game. With Battle Dawn Galaxies, we bring strategic space combat to new heights in the browser."

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4xbattle-dawnbattle-dawn-galaxiesbrowserbrowser-basedempire-buildingf2pfranchisefree-to-playMichael-RosentacticsoftteasertrailervideoWed, 25 May 2011 11:00:00 -0400319|19949704http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
It's not every year that a movie comes along that captures the pop culture zeitgeist so powerfully and so quickly as The Matrix did. I recall lugging a few college friends along to see this in 1999 -- having heard only a few sparse details about it beforehand -- and coming out of the theater feeling as if we we'd been electrified. The bold mix of science fiction, martial arts, philosophy, action, and leather ensembles became the smash hit of the year, and a franchise was born.

And while we had great hopes that this would be this generation's Star Wars, The Matrix ultimately proved to be a lightning-in-a-bottle phenomenon, impossible to recapture once unleashed. Sequels, animated shorts, video games, comic books -- none rose to the height of the original film, and eventually the franchise petered out.

During this period, an odd duck of an MMO was born: The Matrix Online. When you think about it, an online virtual world where people log in and fight against programs was a really short hop from the movie series. MxO, as it was abbreviated, was an audacious game with unique features, story-centric gameplay and a sci-fi bent in a field of fantasy competitors, and while it only lasted four years, it was enough to make a huge impression for its community.

So by popular demand, this month we're going to revisit the 1s and 0s of The Matrix Online to see just how deep the rabbit hole (and well-worn cliche) goes -- and what made this game stand out!

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Ben-Chamberlinbluepilldaniel-myersfeaturedfranchisefree-firegamespotinterlockkung-fuleatherlive-events-teammachinesmatrixmatrix-onlinematrix-revolutionsmeleeMerovingianMonolithMonolith-ProductionsmorpheusmxooraclerarebitredpillsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstorylinethe-continuing-storythe-matrix-onlineubisoftWalruswarner-brosWarner-Bros-InteractivewbzionTue, 10 May 2011 19:00:00 -0400319|19934808http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/guitar-hero-said-to-not-be-dead-yet-will-continue-to-rock-from/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
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It was with heavy heart that we reported in February the Guitar Hero franchise was dead, done in by an addiction to half-baked sequels and a growing tolerance of commercialization. It felt like the series being put out to pasture was for the best, but maybe this old rocker still has some life in its leopard-print pants yet. Dan Winters at Activision sat down with gamesindustry.biz and clarified that "the brand won't go away," that the company just isn't going to release a new one this year. You know what that means: next year you'd better be ready to dust off those flimsy guitars and rock once again like it's 2009.

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activisionband gameBandGamedan wintersDanWintersfranchisegamegamingguitar heroGuitarHeromusic gameMusicGamevideogameWed, 13 Apr 2011 11:25:00 -040021|19911538http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/08/theaterxtreme-franchises-going-strong-after-corporate-namesake-g/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/08/theaterxtreme-franchises-going-strong-after-corporate-namesake-g/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/08/theaterxtreme-franchises-going-strong-after-corporate-namesake-g/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#commentsHere's a story that's all too rare amid all of the recent news of store closings, layoffs and corporate exits -- now-independent TheaterXtreme franchises are doing well in the wake of the parent company's Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The linked story tells a story of entrepreneurial franchise owners who broke from the parent company after experiencing evaporating support, and have since adopted a "customers first" attitude on their way to growing business. We can't imagine why the corporate offices didn't take the advice to get into products central to custom home theaters like lighting control and distributed audio, but thankfully these franchises had an eye on the ball and decided to break ranks. Kudos to these owners who focused on delivering quality to customers and came out on top.

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customeconomyfranchisehdstoretheaterxtremeSun, 08 Feb 2009 19:12:00 -050021|1453200http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/the-daily-grind-will-the-old-republic-beat-world-of-warcraft/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/the-daily-grind-will-the-old-republic-beat-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/the-daily-grind-will-the-old-republic-beat-world-of-warcraft/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
There have been many arguments in the Massively offices -- some bordering on heated (hey, we're passionate people, alright?) -- about today's question. We don't all agree. Some think it's definite, some think it's definitely not, and some folks are on the fence, but here goes: will Star Wars: The Old Republic surpass World of Warcraft by any measure of success -- particularly in subscriber numbers?

Sure, reps from LucasArts and EA said so, but they kind of have to, right? We'd love to hear your opinions, but here are a couple points that have been brought up: WoW opened the door for new MMOs -- people are comfortable with them now. Doesn't that mean the chances are ripe for a huge, established franchise like Star Wars to sweep in and take it to the next level? On the other hand, since Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect sold substantially fewer copies than WoW, does the BioWare / KotOR pedigree really matter for this question?

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biowareblizzarddiscussioneaelectronic-artsfranchiseipknights-of-the-old-republiclucasartsopinionspeculationstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscriptionsswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorworld-of-warcraftThu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0400319|1357110http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-daily-grind-name-your-mmo-dream-team/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-daily-grind-name-your-mmo-dream-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-daily-grind-name-your-mmo-dream-team/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Almost every big MMO these days is a marriage between an established intellectual property -- such as The Lord of the Rings, or Conan -- and a proven development studio like Mythic or Cryptic. It seems like every setting is getting MMO-ized, from Star Trek to the DC Comics universe. But there are lots of worlds left to explore.

That's why we're asking you today what world you want to explore, and who you want to make it. In other words, which franchise and which developer would you like to see come together?Battlestar Galactica and Funcom? Lost and SOE? No idea is too crazy. After all, it's likely none of them will become reality anyway!

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age-of-conanbattlestar-galacticacryptic-studiosdc-universe-onlinedeveloperdreamdream-teamfantasyfranchisefuncomiplicenselostmythicsoestar-trekstudiotdgthe-daily-grindturbineThu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0400319|1271619http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/27/courts-favor-atandt-verizon-back-new-video-franchising-rules/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/27/courts-favor-atandt-verizon-back-new-video-franchising-rules/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/27/courts-favor-atandt-verizon-back-new-video-franchising-rules/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
While Verizon and AT&T try to work their FiOS and U-verse services into new areas, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth circuit in Cincinnati handed them a victory today by ruling that the FCC's new rules setting time limits for local authorities to act on new franchise applications are within its authority. The new ruling at the heart of the debate gives local jurisdictions 90 days to act on apps by providers that already have access to city land to run connections, and 180 days for new entrants to citeis or towns, and bar them from mandating new requirements the FCC finds unreasonable, like building a community swimming pool. While we're big fans of municipal pools, we're also into competition and consumer choice, so if you've been waiting to get TV via telco breathe easy knowing the path just got a little smoother.

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appealsattbreaking newsBreakingNewscablecourtfccfiberfiosfranchisefranchisingfrnachisehdinternetlegalnctarulesu-verseverizonFri, 27 Jun 2008 20:41:00 -040021|1239315http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/verizon-gets-one-step-closer-to-stringing-fios-tv-to-new-york-ci/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/verizon-gets-one-step-closer-to-stringing-fios-tv-to-new-york-ci/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/verizon-gets-one-step-closer-to-stringing-fios-tv-to-new-york-ci/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
After Windexing our spectacles and finding that Verizon actually was on a mission to bring FiOS TV to New York City, we still yearned for more proof that a formidable opponent was indeed looking to take on TWC / Cablevision in the Big Apple. Announced today, NYC's Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) has "voted unanimously to approve a proposal by Verizon to provide TV service to all five boroughs of the city." From here, the proposed agreement "must be confirmed by the Mayor's Office of the City of New York and the New York State Public Service Commission." Mmm, so close you can taste it, can't you Manhattan?

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brookylnexpansionfiberfiosfios tvFiosTvfranchisehdmanhattannew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynyqueensverizonTue, 27 May 2008 13:31:00 -040021|1207068http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/29/nyc-reaches-cable-tv-agreement-on-fios/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/29/nyc-reaches-cable-tv-agreement-on-fios/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/29/nyc-reaches-cable-tv-agreement-on-fios/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#commentsWhile that 150 HD channel-future isn't yet guaranteed, Verizon's plans for expanding FiOS service throughout all of NYC took a big step forward, as the city has reached an agreement with the telco for a cable TV franchise contract. Pending approval by the city's Franchise and Concession Review Committee at a public hearing May 20, New York residents can expect full fiber coverage by 2014, with nearly a third of households receiving service by year end. Want some of that uncompressed HDTV? Head out and make your voice heard May 20.

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fiberfiosfios tvFiosTvfranchisehdnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynynycverizonTue, 29 Apr 2008 15:16:00 -040021|1181069http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/15/technicolor-cinemanow-team-up-to-sell-online-movie-stores/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/15/technicolor-cinemanow-team-up-to-sell-online-movie-stores/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/15/technicolor-cinemanow-team-up-to-sell-online-movie-stores/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Looking to get into the online movie business? Well sit down because CinemaNow and Technicolor have a deal for you, since they've hooked up and are offering a "better way to deliver the digital content consumers are demanding". Basically the plan is to take the internet movie store CinemaNow has developed franchise, and allow other companies to introduce their own marketplace without having to develop their own encoding, encryption, DRM, hosting or other necessary technology -- and it sounds like a good one to us. Technicolor brings not only its infrastructure, but also plans to collab with CinemaNow on projects like adding additional HD movies to its 10,000+ database of titles. Of course CinemaNow's compatibility with the Xbox 360 and other devices is part of the package (though we wonder if those DVD burning issues have been resolved) -- potentially turning competition like Netflix, Blockbuster or Wal-Mart into partners.

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cinemanowdigital distributionDigitalDistributiondrmfranchisehdinternettechnicolorTue, 15 Apr 2008 21:55:00 -040021|1168820http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/cartoon-network-to-enjoy-huge-turnout/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/cartoon-network-to-enjoy-huge-turnout/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/cartoon-network-to-enjoy-huge-turnout/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsTurner Entertainment, holder of the Cartoon Network brand, has announced its partnership with Outblaze Limited, a web infrastructure company, to create TurnOut Ventures Limited. They will focus on leveraging the character recognition appeal of the various CN franchises into online games, virtual spaces, and the like.

What would we like to see come from this? How about an MMO based on Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, where you can create your own monster? Or a Transformers game, where you can unlock the ability to transform to different vehicles as you level up? Or a Powerpuff Girls title where you are a new model of PG, patrolling the world, dispensing cuteness and justice in equal measure? Is the world ready for this? Are you? Am I?

No, I'm not. I'd like to keep game development away from established franchises, thank you. Now, mind you, aside from the football-themed MMO, the article under consideration doesn't specifically mention branded game development, so perhaps we'll be spared the further dilution of once-favorite characters via tacked-on plots and shoehorned game mechanics. I'd like to be right about that, but history continues to prove me wrong. I live in hope!

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brandingcartoon-networkdilutionfootballfosters-home-for-imaginary-friendsfranchiseoutblaze-limitedpowerpuff-girlstransformersturner-entertainmentturnout-ventures-limitedWed, 23 Jan 2008 13:00:00 -0500319|1094017http://wow.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/is-wow-popular-because-it-is-fantasy/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=WoW&ncid=rss_semi
http://wow.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/is-wow-popular-because-it-is-fantasy/http://wow.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/is-wow-popular-because-it-is-fantasy/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=WoW#comments
Richard Bartle at Terra Nova asks an interesting question regarding MMORPGs in general, wondering why so many of them tend toward the fantasy genre. Did Lord of the Rings have such a phenomenal impact on our cultural imagination that it made every story (or gaming environment) even loosely based on it more likely to succeed, or is there something deeper here?

The question sparks an interesting discussion which I encourage you to read. It certainly makes me think about WoW in a new light. Suppose we imagine that Blizzard had made a different decision about which franchise to develop into their first MMO: would World of Starcraft have been as popular as World of Warcraft is today if its gameplay was more or less just as good, or is the science fiction environment inherently less appealing to the masses than fantasy?

To me, it makes sense that Blizzard chose the Warcraft franchise over Starcraft (or even Diablo for that matter), not just because it is fantasy, and certainly not just because it draws on elements of Tolkien's literature, but because it draws on a wider range of mythic elements, contains more layers of conflict, and generally provides a greater diversity of opportunities for a new gamer to find something he or she likes in it. What's your opinion?

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blizzarddiablofranchiselord-of-the-ringslorelotrstarcrafttolkeintolkienwarcraftworld-of-starcraftSun, 23 Dec 2007 13:30:00 -050099|1069655http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/former-sto-designer-star-trek-might-be-hardest-mmo-ip-ever/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/former-sto-designer-star-trek-might-be-hardest-mmo-ip-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/former-sto-designer-star-trek-might-be-hardest-mmo-ip-ever/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsStar Trek Online is one of the most anticipated MMOs on the horizon, but it's no secret that Perpetual Entertainment has had a rough couple of months. There's an ever-present air of uncertainty around STO's future.

Most of that uncertainty stems from Perpetual's legal and financial troubles, but one former STO team member has written up a blog post suggesting that making a Star Trek MMO might be a Kobyashi Maru scenario to begin with. "At first glance, Star Trek seems like the perfect setting for an MMO," said former systems designer Eric Heimburg, "but appearances can be deceiving. It's actually a huge landmine of problems."

Heimburg wrote that it's an expensive and difficult task to produce both a space game and a land game, that making space interesting is challenging, and that it's impossible to please all Star Trek fans because everyone has a different opinion about what makes the franchise great. All good points; we'll see if Perpetual has what it takes to make it all come together ... if it can even survive its financial and legal woes.